8 must-visit culinary and nightlife spots in Milan for your post-Salone del Mobile indulgence

The Italians often say “Buon cibo, buon vino, buon amici,” which translates to good food, good wine, good friends. Well then it is no surprise that all this and yet some more is easily found in Milan. With Salone del Mobile 2024 resounding its arrival in the city of fashion, architecture and art this month, this guide on Milan decodes where you must get around after your furniture and decor hunt at the fair! 

Some hearty nibbles of gourmet food and confident sips of luscious cocktails,  ELLE DECOR India charts it out for you. Start with aperitivo at bars, then a classic dinner and a mesmerising party after. For food savants to the seekers of a good nightlife, Milan has something for everyone. 

The Botanical Club

When in Rome, do as the Romans do! But Milan shouldn’t be any different. Cue,  aperitivo. From around 7 pm to 9 pm, Italians meet at restaurants over a few drinks and some finger food to simply catch up and enjoy the evening. Restaurants around town can be found serving the most exquisite drinks at this hour and one such restaurant is the Botanical Club. Their cocktail menu is filled with evergreen classics as well as Botanical’s original curations. The space is open and lush with greenery. Dark wood and black metallic accents bring a clean and modern feel to this space. A must visit for a most enjoyable aperitivo! Out of their two locations, the Pastrengo location even has a Gin distillery, where you can buy the Botanical Club’s own house Gin. 

Where: Via Tortona, 33, 20144 Milano MI, Italy

Via Pastrengo, 11, 20159 Milano MI, Italy

Bar Luce by Prada

Milan is a city of many arts and a melting pot of many artists. One such place is Bar Luce by Prada. Film meets fashion as Wes Anderson collaborates with Prada to design this bar right out of one of his films. The pastel hues, pinball machines and the jukebox, all take inspiration from the cafes spread across Milan during the 50s and the 60s. The patterned wallpaper recreates the vaulted ceiling, windows and balconies of the city’s iconic Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. As Wes Anderson says himself as seen on Prada’s website, while he thinks that the cafe would make for a great movie set, it would also be a beautiful place to write a movie. It is the perfect place to spend his non-cinematic afternoons.

Where: BAR LUCE, Largo Isarco, 2, 20139 Milan

Nobu

Are you an enthusiast for a dinner party? Well, Nobu is a classic. Made in collaboration with Giorgio Armani, Nobu in Milan offers an experience that blends traditional Japanese cuisine with Peruvian and Italian influences. The design clearly takes inspiration from Oriental design with minimalism, traditional Japanese ceiling beams and the warm pops of colour. Even the dining tables are reminiscent of traditional Japanese family style dining. The menu offers authentic and sumptuous items. If you are dining at Nobu for the first time, the chef recommends trying three or more of the menu’s “Eight Highlights.” 

Where: Via Gastone Pisoni, 1, 20121 Milano MI, Italy

Backdoor43

The smallest bar in the world? Well, Backdoor43 touts so! If you’re out for the night and up for a quick drink, Backdoor43 may be just perfect for you. It can only fit about four guests at a time. Tiny it may be, but that doesn’t stop it from being full of personality. The interiors are adorned with vintage gold mirrors and walls full of alcohol. Covered in wood, the place has an old-time vintage charm. The establishment also has a takeaway counter, where the bartender in a Guy Fawkes mask mixes and serves up your drink. 

Where: Ripa di Porta Ticinese, 43, 20143 Milano MI, Italy

1930

This bar in Italy will make you work, just to reach it. There is no public address available of the 1930, this information can only be earned. Owned by the Mag Family, who own other establishments such as the Mag Café and Backdoor43, 1930 is a secret speakeasy in Milan. To gain entry, one must pay visits to other establishments of the Mag family, and befriend the right people there. After being a patron for a while, you might gain access to a card through one of these friends, that will get you access into 1930. The interiors are dark and wooden, with soft lighting. It is the embodiment of exclusivity and luxury. Find yourself lost in a range of exquisite drinks here.

Dolce & Gabbana Martini Bar

The house of Dolce & Gabbana doesn’t just serve looks, it can also serve a mean martini. In collaboration with Martini, this restaurant serves some delectable Sicilian food and even more exquisite drinks. Eric Carlson of Carbondale Studios designs a look that flawlessly accentuates the building’s ancient architectural features. The outside seating offers freshness and air in contrast to the dark interiors and flashy lights, which make for the perfect mood to kick off the night. Bright reds and sultry blacks covered in a logo mania, this restaurant is for those who have a taste for opulence. Indulge in their signature martinis, such as the King of Martini, or their D&G shaped fries to get your night started. 

Where: Corso Venezia, 15, 20121 Milano MI, Italy

Armani/Privè Club

When in Milan, you never know where the night might take you. The city is known for its crazy night life, and what better way to spend the night than dancing it away? The dimly lit interiors of the Armani/Privè Club make for the perfect environment to drink and dance. The luxurious leather against backlit walls brings out the meticulous balance between enjoying luxury and letting loose. The club is testament to the fact that sophistication is simple, that less is more. 

Where: Via Gastone Pisoni, 1, 20121 Milano MI, Italy

JustMe by Robert Cavalli

Why stop the night at one club when you can have more? Designed by the late architect Itola Rota, JustMe is the prime location for an adventurous night out in Milan. Colours, extravagance and opulence, all the classic elements of the house of House of Roberto Cavalli can be seen in this club as well. It’s shaped as a semi-circle with the bar at the very centre, under the Torre Branca with the restaurant in the periphery, with glass walls and ceiling. One can enjoy traditional Italian pastas or even not-so-traditional sushis at this restaurant, truly offering something for everyone. Bon Appetit!

Where: Torre Branca, Viale Luigi Camoens, 2, 20121 Milano MI, Italy

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